Republic Of Congo Military Assaults

Congolese rebels accused President Laurent Kabila's army of launching military strikes in northwestern Congo. Olivier Kamitatu, a spokesman for the Congo Liberation Movement, said that at least 29 government troops were killed in Basankusu and farther north in Zongo and that two rebels were killed. Information Minister Didier Mumengi said from New York, where Kabila addressed the United Nations on Monday, that the rebels' allegations are "completely false."

At least 518 people, including 319 Congolese civilians, died during the week that Rwandan and Ugandan troops battled over the Congolese city of Kisangani, the International Committee of the Red Cross said Monday. The agency said the toll could rise as aid workers clear the rubble of bombed-out houses and apartments. It said 120 soldiers also died in the June 5-10 fighting. Three rebel factions are battling to oust Congolese President Laurent Kabila, and five foreign armies are also involved.

Rebels fighting to topple President Laurent Kabila slipped into the outskirts of this capital before dawn Wednesday and triggered an intense battle that paralyzed much of the city, but the insurgents fell short of their apparent target: Congo's main airport. Sharp blasts and long, thundering explosions rocked the city all morning as government helicopters shuttled between the city center and the embattled northeastern suburbs. The fighting died down after noon, but authorities imposed a 6 p.m.

Congolese rebels accused President Laurent Kabila's army of launching military strikes in northwestern Congo. Olivier Kamitatu, a spokesman for the Congo Liberation Movement, said that at least 29 government troops were killed in Basankusu and farther north in Zongo and that two rebels were killed. Information Minister Didier Mumengi said from New York, where Kabila addressed the United Nations on Monday, that the rebels' allegations are "completely false."

Rebel forces of former dictator Gen. Denis Sassou-Nguesso proclaimed victory in the battle for Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo, on Wednesday. They also seized the oil city of Pointe-Noire with the help of Angolan allies, according to witnesses. "Today the war is over.

Rebels in Congo said late Monday that they had captured the strategic eastern town of Kindu after a week of heavy fighting with government troops. "We have control of the city and the airport," senior rebel commander Bob Ngoy said. There was no independent confirmation available. Kindu is about 275 miles southwest of Goma. The rebels are fighting to topple President Laurent Kabila, who accuses neighboring Rwanda and Uganda of fomenting the revolt.

The U.S. ambassador to Congo has accused Rwanda and Uganda of aggression against the vast West African nation. Ambassador William Lacey Swing said in a recent broadcast on Congo's state television station that Rwanda and Uganda are guilty of "external military interference to which the country and the courageous Congolese people are being subjected." President Laurent Kabila accuses Rwanda and Uganda of masterminding Congo's two-month rebel war, which he says is a front for an invasion.

Rwandan and Ugandan troops, onetime allies in the fight to topple Congo's president, traded ferocious mortar and artillery barrages Monday in an effort to control this northern Congolese city and its airport. The fighting surged despite a heavy afternoon downpour and prompted the leaders of Rwanda and Uganda to rush to southern Uganda for talks on ending the confrontation that imperils their campaign to oust Congolese President Laurent Kabila.

Recent fighting between two countries that are patrons of rebel factions in Congo could wreck a shaky peace deal to end the Central African country's yearlong civil war, analysts say. The upsurge of violence could also strengthen the resolve of Congolese President Laurent Kabila not to share power with those seeking to overthrow him, and win him the image of cooperative "good guy" in trying to end the conflict. Rwanda and Uganda were among six countries to sign the July 10 peace agreement.

At least 518 people, including 319 Congolese civilians, died during the week that Rwandan and Ugandan troops battled over the Congolese city of Kisangani, the International Committee of the Red Cross said Monday. The agency said the toll could rise as aid workers clear the rubble of bombed-out houses and apartments. It said 120 soldiers also died in the June 5-10 fighting. Three rebel factions are battling to oust Congolese President Laurent Kabila, and five foreign armies are also involved.

Recent fighting between two countries that are patrons of rebel factions in Congo could wreck a shaky peace deal to end the Central African country's yearlong civil war, analysts say. The upsurge of violence could also strengthen the resolve of Congolese President Laurent Kabila not to share power with those seeking to overthrow him, and win him the image of cooperative "good guy" in trying to end the conflict. Rwanda and Uganda were among six countries to sign the July 10 peace agreement.

Rwandan and Ugandan troops, onetime allies in the fight to topple Congo's president, traded ferocious mortar and artillery barrages Monday in an effort to control this northern Congolese city and its airport. The fighting surged despite a heavy afternoon downpour and prompted the leaders of Rwanda and Uganda to rush to southern Uganda for talks on ending the confrontation that imperils their campaign to oust Congolese President Laurent Kabila.

The U.S. ambassador to Congo has accused Rwanda and Uganda of aggression against the vast West African nation. Ambassador William Lacey Swing said in a recent broadcast on Congo's state television station that Rwanda and Uganda are guilty of "external military interference to which the country and the courageous Congolese people are being subjected." President Laurent Kabila accuses Rwanda and Uganda of masterminding Congo's two-month rebel war, which he says is a front for an invasion.

Rebels in Congo said late Monday that they had captured the strategic eastern town of Kindu after a week of heavy fighting with government troops. "We have control of the city and the airport," senior rebel commander Bob Ngoy said. There was no independent confirmation available. Kindu is about 275 miles southwest of Goma. The rebels are fighting to topple President Laurent Kabila, who accuses neighboring Rwanda and Uganda of fomenting the revolt.

Rebels fighting to topple President Laurent Kabila slipped into the outskirts of this capital before dawn Wednesday and triggered an intense battle that paralyzed much of the city, but the insurgents fell short of their apparent target: Congo's main airport. Sharp blasts and long, thundering explosions rocked the city all morning as government helicopters shuttled between the city center and the embattled northeastern suburbs. The fighting died down after noon, but authorities imposed a 6 p.m.

Rebel forces of former dictator Gen. Denis Sassou-Nguesso proclaimed victory in the battle for Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo, on Wednesday. They also seized the oil city of Pointe-Noire with the help of Angolan allies, according to witnesses. "Today the war is over.